Rail-spike puller



' Nov. 22, 1927.

E. E. SARR RAIL SPIKE FULLER Filed June 1, 1926 Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES ELMER E. SARR, or HURON, 01110.

RAIL-SPIKE PULLER.

Application filed June 1,

This invention relates to improvements in spike pullers.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a spike, bolt, or nail puller, which is of a very compact nature, and which may be conveniently operated, with ease, to exert a powerful vpull in a vertical direction, to straight out from its socket.

A further object of this inventionis the provision of an improved spikepullin'g de vice, having an operating claw which pulls or exerts force upon'a spike in alignment with the spike, for the extraction of the same; the device embodying a powerful operating cam levermeans to exert apowerful pull upon the claw with but little manual exertion.

Utherobjects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate correspending parts throughout the several views, I Y I Figure l is a side elevation of the improved spike puller, showing the. sameuin position at the start of a spike pulling operation.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing details of the improved spike puller;,' immediately after "the spike has-been pullech'and showing the discharge of the pulled spike from the device. Y I a lBigure 3 is a front elevation of the details of the improved spike puller, showing the pants in position at the start of a spike pulling operation. v I p Figure -l is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line .i:-l of Figure 3, showing more particularly the frame and a cam construction thereon for 1 receiving the spike claw and operating lever.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a spike socket end of the claw,

Figure 6 is a view showing the manner in which a special attachment may be usedwith the improved spike puller, for with- 0 drawing spikes from between main and guard rails.

Figure 7 is a view showing the use of the attachment illustrated in Figure 6.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of this-invention, the letter A draw a spike or the like thereon.

linear path between'a-nd along the go 1926 Serial No. 113,011.

may generally designate the spike puller, which may comprise a frame B; spike claw C slidably mounted in the frame B; and claw operating means D.

The frame B is of course of any approved reinforced construction, and thesame is of a special design, which will make the same convenient for portability, and yet designed to stand-the forces which will placed shallow supporting base 10, which isor dinarily placed directly on the topvsurface vided with the spaced vertically upstand mg gibs or guide standards 16 and 17, having the vertical space 18 therebetween'opening at the frontpofthe frame B, and said standards 16 and 17 being grooved at their itacinglsides, at 20 and 21 respectively, preferably for the entirelength thereofflto accommodate the reduced lu s %3 at the opposite side-s of the spike ead socket end of the claw C,-Whic'h will be subsequently described, to guide said claw C in a rectiide standards or gibs I6 and 17. u 1

At its rear end the base: 10 is provided with a batter head 27, againstwhich a perhe same includes. a relatively son may hammer in order to force the spike head into the socket ofjthe'claw spike head socket end described] The frame B furthermore comprises the cam supporting rails 35and 36 atopposite sides thereof, connected at their forward ends integral with the guide sta'ndardslfi and 17 preferably intermediate the ends ,of said guide standards; said cam supporting rails and 36 extending downwardly from their connection withthe guide rails, for connection-at their lower ends to the batter head 27 of the base 10. At the inner sides of the rails 35 and 36', arcuated cam flanges or shelves 40 and Mare preferably provided, extendingfrom immediately adjacent the guide standards 15and, 16 respectively, and at their rear ends terminating short of the base 10, as illustrated in 25, as will be'fsubsequently Figure 2 of the drawing. Upon the upper surfaces ofthese arcuated cam shelves 40 spike pulling claw C, the same includes the narrow elongated substantially flat shank 55,

which is rectangular in crosssection, and

' which at the lower end has the spike h ead socket end 25, and which at opposite sldes thereof has the reduced lugs 23 thereon whichslidably extend snugly into the guide grooves 20 and 21 to guide the vertical rectilinear movement of the claw as it is moved upwardly. The socket 30 is formed by pro viding spaced inwardly extending flanges 56 and 57, which are adapted to grip the head of the spike F, as can readily be understood,

and the socket 30 is open at the front of the claw C; the flanges 56 and 57 preferably being beveled to permit the same to be hammered to place beneath the head of the spike. by hammering against the batter end 27 of the base 10, in a manner which is obvious.

Referring to the operating means D, the same preferably comprises an integral L- shaped lever 60, which at the lower end thereof provides the arcuated cam engaging lever portions 61 and 62, which are of identical formation, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, the same being spaced from each other throughout their length, and providing convex lower surfaces 64: which are adapted to ride upon the top convex surfaces of the cams 40 and 4-1. The operating lever 60 furthermore includes the lever portion 66 which may be of any approved lengtlueither providing an attaching shank, or a socket for receiving a relatively long bar therein, or the bar may be formed rigid as a part of the lever portion 66. In the specific example shown the lever portion 66 is in the form of a socket, and it extends in a general line at rightangles to the cam operating lever portions 61 and 62, and is of course integral therewith. In the space 68 immediately adjacent the juncture of the spaced cam lever portions with the lever portion 66, said. lever portions 61 and 62 are provided with transverse aligning openings 69 for receiving a pin 70, which also extends through an upper 'apertured end of the body of the spike claw C, as is illustrated in the drawing, and thusxthe L-shape'd lever 60 is pivotally connected at the juncture of the portions 6162 and 66 with the upper end of the claw C.

. The socket portion 66, in the specific instance shown is provided with a socket open ing therein for receiving the lower end of a relatively long bar 76, which may be the conventional standard lining bar. In lieu of such a socket the lever portion 66 may constitute the bar 76 itself, or may be formed rigid therewith, or the lever portion 66 may be merely a. shank for receiving the socket on the lower end of a bar. These are merely alternative constructions which are withinthe mechanical ability of anyone skilled in this art to apply; it being preferred to have a detachable connection of the bar 76 with the L-shaped lever 50, or to make the spike pulling device portable.

As a reinforcing feature of the L-shaped operating lever 60, the free ends of the cam engaging lever portions are connected with the forward end of a connecting brace bar portion 60, which extends in a divergent relation with the lever portions 61 and 62, and

at its opposite end 81 the same is connected integral with the lever portion '66,. above the juncture of the lever portions 6162 and 66, as is illustrated in the drawings. This reinforces the'substantially right angled portions 6st and 66, and connects the free ends of the spaced lever portions 6162 in a stable relation. A spike knock-out projection 87 is formed integral or rigid with the free ends of the lever portions 6162, in transverse relation therewith, normally extending downwardly when the lever is in a position about to start the drawing of a spike, and which moves forwardlyand into engagement with the spike after the spike has been pulled, to knock the spike out of the claw socket 30, in a manner which is well illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, and which can readily be understood.

Referring to" an operation of the inven tion, the base 10 is applied as above described on a ground surface or on thetie, and the base is then, forced towards the spike until the head of the spike is received in the claw socket30. In this position of parts the operating lever 60 is positioned with the portion 66 vertical, and the lever portions 6l62 are positioned substantially horizontal with the convex surfaces thereof in engagement with the forward ends of the cams 40 and 41. After the bar 76 has been applied in the lever portion 66, the operator draws the same rearwardly, and this starts the elevation of the claw C; the convex edges of the lever portions 61 and 62 operating on the cams 40 and i1, and incident to the radii upon which the convex edges of the said cam lever portions 61 and 62 are formed, and incident to the formation of the cams, as the lever 60 is further rocked in order to extract the spike, said cam lever portions 61 and 62 will permit the leverage to be increased. That is, the fulcrum points of the lever portions 61 and 62 on the cams will move farther away from the guide vi: Ax)

forpulling spikes between closely posi standards 16 and 17 as the claw is vertically moved upwardly, to increase the leverage action, and thereby producing-a powerful pull which increases for the major length of extraction of the spike F, and until the spike :is substantially withdrawn, when the. fulclaim of the lever portions 61 .and 62 moves -along thecams toward the vertical guide standards 16 and 17, and when thespike is entirely withdrawn the knockout projection 87 will enter the open rear end of the socket 30 to engage the upper end of'the spike F and knock thesamefrom the clawC as illustrat-ed in Figure- 2. y In event the improvedspike puller is used t-iorsed raile, such as illustrated in Figures 6 ceiv'ing socket 293 exactly similar to. the

socket 30 above mentioned, for receivingthe head of aspike9l which is'positioned between said closely positioned rails, as

illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, and with which attachment 90 the spike 94: may be readily withdrawn, the base 10 of the frame B in this instance resting upon the top of a rail. 13.

From the foregoing description of this in-.

vention it is apparent .that a novel type of 1x spike puller has been provided, which will operate to etiiciently withdraw spikes from rails.

alt)

Various changes in the shape, size, and ar rangement of parts maybe made to the form of invention herein shown and described,

without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the cla ms.

I claim: 1. In a spike puller the combination of a supporting frame, a claw slidably guided by the supporting frame, alever' movably con nected with the claw, and cam means carried by the frame which the lever engages in order to elevate the claw for spike pulling.

2. In a spike puller the combination of a supporting frame having a convex cam thereon, a clan, and a lever movably connected with the claw having a convexporg g t supporting frame 1nclud1ng s de standard 7 tion for engagement with the convex cam in order that upon movementof the lever the claw will be'elevated for pulling aspike or c the like.

3. In a spike puller or the like the combination of a supporting frame having a cam thereon, a spike receiving claw slidably guided for rectilinear movement in said frame, and a substantially L-shaped operating lever pivotally connected with the claw having a cam'engaging portion to one side of the pivot, and an operating lever portion at the other side of the pivot.

4. In a spike pulling device tion of a supporting frame, a spike gripping claw directlyguided in its movement by the frame, an operating lever pivotally connected with the claw, and cam means including engageable cam portions carried by. the

frame and lover by means of whichupon movement ofthe lever'the pivot connection of the claw and lever will be moved in a straight line during elevation or lowering of .the claw;

' .5. In .a spike puller the combination of a supporting frame having guide standards thereon, aclaw having afspike head socket I therein and a body slidable the guide standards for rectilinear movementtherein, acam connected with the frame, ;and-'lever 'HIGEIDS including a portion adapted toride :over the .cam witha shifting fulcrum sotghat by movement' 'o'f the lever means'the-elaw will be elevated. V I

In. a spike extracting device theeeom' bination of a supporting frame, a claw, an operating lever movably connected with the claw, cam means upon which the operating lever moves to elevate and lower the claw, and means to engage the spike after has been withdrawn by the claw to knock the game the claw 7. In a spike puller the-combination of a supporting frame,;a claw .slidably guided by the frame-for rectilinear movement having a socket therein for receiving aspikehead, a substantially L-shaped operating lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the combinw saidclaw, and cam means supported by the frame upon which the lever may rock in on der to elevatethe claw.- I .v

8. In a spike puller the combinationof a I supporting frame having a guide way there along, a 'spikereceiving clawslidably movable alongsaid guide-way,..a-n L'-sha-ped lever pivoted intermediate its ends with'said claw,

by the lever for cooperativelyknocking the spike from the claw when the lever has been moved to a position where the claw has withy drawn a spike.

9. In a spike puller the combination of 3.

ing into said guide ways for vertically guidlng the movement of the claw 1n a rectilinear path, a cam rigid with the frame, and a substantially L-shaped operating lever pivoted intermediate its ends to the claw opposite the socket head thereof, including,

a lever portion with a convex edge for opthe space therebetween, said frame including upper spaced supporting rails connected with said standards and extending for connection to the base at the opposite end of the base from said standards, arcuated cams on said rails extending into the space therebetween, a claw having a lower head with a socket therein for receiving the head of a spike, said head having oppositely extending lugs for slidable reception in the guideways of said standards to permitthe claw to move upwardly between the standards in a rectilinear line, a substantially L-shaped operating lever including a handle portion and a cam engaging portion provided with a convex edge, said portions of the lever being arranged substantially in right angular relation and adjacent their juncture being pivotally connected to the upper end of the claw, the convex edge of the cam engaging lever portion being adapted to ride on the cam so that upon rocking of the L-shaped lever the claw may be moved upwardly for spike extraction.

11. In a spike puller the combination of frame comprising a base, spaced upstanding standards having guideways facing in the space therebetween, said frame including upper spaced supporting rails connected with said standards and extending for connection to the base at the" opposite end of the base from said standards, arcuated cams on said rails extending into the space therebetween, a claw having a lower head with a,

socket therein for receiving the head of a spike, said head having oppositely extending lugs for slidable reception in the guideways of said standards to permit the claw to move upwardly between the standards in a rectilinear line, a substantially L-shaped operating lever including a handle portion and a cam engaging portion provided with a convex edge, said portions of the lever being arranged substantially inright angular relation and adjacent their juncture being pivotally connected to the upper end of the claw, the convex edge of the cam engaging lever portion being adapted to ride on the cam so that upon rocking of the L-shaped an operating lever movably connected with the claw, cam means upon'which the operating'lever moves to permit movement of the claw to withdraw the spike, and means-on the lever to engage the spike after it has been withdrawn to knock the same fromthe socket of said claw. 1 a

. 13. As an article of manufacture an op erating lever for spike pullers comprising a substantially L-shaped body-including an operating handle lever portion and a cam engaging lever portion arranged in substantially right angular relation with the handle lever portion, the cam engaging lever portion having a convex edge, a brace connecting the free edge of the cam engaging lever portion with the handle le er portion intermediate the ends of' the latter, and; a knock-out projection extending transversely from the free end of the cam engaging lever portion in projecting relation beyond the convex edge thereof.

14. In a spike pulling device the combination of a supporting frame, a claw guided by the frame during movement, lever means connected with the claw, cam means on the frame which the lever means engages to move the claw upwardly upon rocking of the lever means on said cam means, said claw including a spike head receiving socket therein, and a detachable extension unit for the claw including a head for rigid disposition in said socket of the claw and at the opposite end thereof having a spike head receiving socket therein of the same formation as the first mentioned socket.

ELMER E. SARR. 

